Carton closing machine



March 8, 1960 c. E. KEI-'QRA CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed OCT.. 22, 1954 m .N... n m m A ,Q NWN w om o OWNl 0PM o ONT om/1oN oom o www v oom os@ OQNmN, M hsinnb! .l ll'l- N Y gs 2..' vi a OQ.ma m .l om- QTI wrm. om? o5 n vo. o@ OQN @Q 06N 00N CS n.: mv@ L: .1.n. n. nom? .Qz N0 awr aovm om Cm. o 4 mm. m Wm Tl o9 wm. o T1. wm o d0.N m Hlmfwd! NQ March 8, 1960 c. E. KERR CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 INVEN-roR CHARLES E KERR A'r'roRNEYMarch 8, 1960 c. E. KERR CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledOct. 22, 1954 N0@ Omm-lmH-H.-

NON ON .N

l: INVENToR CHARLES E.KERR

NMi/W ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 Q E, KERR 2,927,411

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed oct. 22. 1954 s sheets-sheet 4 F\ 214@l2-5A w ma 3? f' A95' /y Vl/A eso 7 96 ugo m W 2 I if 6 e? 1 sa ,72J'ZGB \f 264 s/ (oo/4 Z l aad" LLL E'Il3 '7 INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR BY#uw ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 c. E. KERR CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 mnu-HPF mnd..

mum-nml N HWI INVENTOR CHARLES E. KERR ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 Q E, KERRK CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 22, 1954 March 8,1960 c. E. KERRl I 2,927,411

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORCHARLES E. KERR BY /QVM ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 C, E, KERR 2,927,411

' CARTON 'CLOSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 gINVENr'on cHARLEs E. KERR ATTORNEY United States Patent CARTON CLOSINGMACHINE Charles E. Kerr, Hoopeston, Ill., assignor to Food N [achineryand Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of DelawareApplication October 22, 1954, Serial No. 463,926

' 19 claims. (ci. 53-376) This invention relates to apparatus forhandling paper cartons, and more particularly to carton closingmachines.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved carton closingmachine.

Another object is to provide a carton closing machine particularlyadapted for use inconnection with cartons having hinged covers andlocking tabs extending from ap extensions of the covers, which tabs areadapted to seat within slits in walls of the carton to secure the coversin closing relation.

Another object is to incorporate within a carton closing machine,apparatus for folding a carton along certain previously scored foldlines to pre-break or crease the material of which the carton is made,as a step preliminary to final closing of the cover and securing thesame in closed position. l

Another object is to provide means for opening the slits of a cartoncharacterized by locking tabs insertable into slits in the carton wallsto secure the cover in closed position and for guiding the approachingtabs into the slits to ensure proper seating of the tabs within theslits.

.Another object is to provide a machine adapted to receive a continuous,rapidly advancing procession of filled cartons with their covers inopen, erect position, and to automatically perform on each carton theoperations of preliminarily folding the cover to pre-break the materialof which the carton is formed, along the fold line between the cover andthe body of the carton, similarlypre-breaking the carton material alongthe fold lines between the cover and the ap extensions, permitting thecover to spring back away from its fully closed position until thelocking tabs clear the slits in the carton walls, and thereafterpressing the cover closed and effecting insertion of the locking tabsinto the slits in the carton walls.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description and the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the carton folding machine of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective of the carton folding machine.

Figure 3 is a section taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken-along lines 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation taken along lines 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is an elevation taken along lines 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Figure 7 is a section taken along lines 7 7 of Figs. 1 and 5.

Figures 8, 9, and l0 are sectional views, taken, respectively, alonglines 8 8, 9 9, and 10-10 of Fig. 1, and illustrating successivepreliminary folding operations.

Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, illustrate another series of successivepreliminary folding operations.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective showing the front slit-openingand tab-guiding means of the machine of the invention. Y

ice

Figures 18, 19 and 2O illustrate successive steps of the' operations offolding the end ap extensions of the cover and inserting their lockingtabs into the slits of the carton end walls.

Figure 2l is a perspective of a typical carton of the type upon whichthe closing machine of the invention is designed to operate.

Figure 22 is a perspective of a modified form of the carton closingmachine of the invention.

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan of the carton closing machine of Fig.22.

Figures 24, 25 and 26 illustrate successive operative positions of theslit opening and tab inserting means of the machine of Figs. 22 and 23.

A -carton C typical of those adapted to be closed by the machine of thepresent invention is illustrated in Fig. 21 and comprises a body 26having a bottom 28, two opposed side walls 30, a back wall 32, and afront wall 34. A cover 36 is hinged to the back wall 32 along a scoredfold line 38. The cover 36 is extended at each side to provide twoopposed side flaps 40 hinged to the cover 36 along scored fold lines 42.The front of the cover 36 is also extended to provide a front liap 44hinged to the cover 36 along a scored fold line 46. Each of the sideflaps 40 has a tab 48 extending beyond its distal edge and receivablewithin a slit 51B in the associated side Wall 30 of the carton body whenthe cover 36 is closed; and the front ap 44is provided with a lockingtab S2 extending from its distal edge and receivable Withinl a slit S4in the cartons front lwall 34 when the cover 36 is closed. Each ofthe-slits 50 is of substantially U-shaped configuration definingv atongue 56 severed from the associated side wall 30 throughout its entireperiphery except at its upper end, so--that the tongue may readily beflexed inward to open the slit 50 for the reception of the associatedtab 48. For the same purpose the slit 54 is of inverted T-shapedconfiguration, defining two opposed corners 58 capable of being readilyflexed inward to facilitate reception of the tab 52 within the slit 54.

In general, lthe carton folding machine of the present invention(Fig. 1) comprises a conveyor for receiving a continuous procession offilled carto-ns C having open, erect covers o'and for advancing thecartons C uninterruptedly in a continuous flow to and through apreliminary folding station P where the cover 36 of each carton C isfolded to, or almost to, closing position to pre-break, or crease thecarton material at the fold, line 38 along which the, cover 36 is hingedto the body 26. While the cover 36 is thus at or adjacent its closedposition, the side iiaps 40 and the front flap 44 are folded downward tocrease the fol-dlines 42 and 46. As the carton C moves beyond thepreliminary folding station P, 'its cover 36 springs back. away from itsclosed position, far enough for the ends of the locking tabs 48 and 52to clear the slits 50 and 54. The carton then enters a final closingstation F, where, without interrupting the advance of the carton, aplate 206 descends onto the cover 36 and presses it to closed relationon the carton body 26. At the same time, fingers 260 and 234 pressinward portions of the side walls 30 and front wall 34 to open the slits50 and 54, and in so doing the fingers assume positions wherein theyadapted to guide the tabs 48 and 52 into the slits 50 and 54 as thecover 36 descends. The plate and fingers then retnact, releasing theclosed carton which is then delivered rto a discharge chute 278, thuscompleting the rapid and uninterrupted passage of the carton through theclosing machine.

More specifically described, the carton closing machine of the presentinvention (Fig's. l-and 7) comprises a horizpntal frame -69 generallycircular'in form and'rigidlyv mounted on a supporting pedestal 62 (Figs.2 and 7). A:

rectilinear conveyor frame 64 (Figs. 3, 5 -and 6) extends lsubstantially tangentially from the circular frame 60.A lnturned anges74 and 74a of the side walls 72 'of the conveyor frame support opposedguide members 76 Aand 76a, the coplanar horizontal flanges 78 and' 78a fwhich are arranged with their inner edges spaced apart to deiine alongitudinally extending slot 80 therebetween. Upstanding parallelflanges 82 and 82a of the guide members 76 and 76a define 'a rectilinearguideway 84 of only slightly greater width than the length, i.e., thefront-tohack dimension, of one of the cartons C which are supplied tothe guideway 84 in a continuous procession vfrom any suitable source ofsupply (e.g. from a carton filling machine). Each carton C is receivedon the guideway 84 with its cover 36 extending substantiallyverticallyvup- Ward from the back wall 32, and with the flaps 40 and 44substantially in planar alignment with the cover. Moreover, each cartonC is placed on the guideway 84 with its back wall .52 facing the outerange 82a, the plane of which is at a greater distance from the 'centerof the circular frame 60 than the plane of the inner flange 82.

The cartons are advanced sideways along the guideway 84 by a conveyorchain 90 (Fig. 1) trained around spaced sprockets 92 (Fig. 7) one ofwhich is rigidly lmounted on a shaft 94 journalled in a bearing 96formed in a bracket 97 which is mounted on the circular frame 60. Spacedflights 98 carried by the chain 90 are adapted to extend upward throughthe slot 80 into position to engage cartons C on the guideway 84 and toadvance the cartons C therealong. The conveyor 90 is driven by asprocket 100 (Figs. 1 and 5) rigid with an extension of the shaft 94 andconnected by a roller chain 102 with a driving sprocket 10411 (Fig.mounted on a shaft 104 rotatably supported from the circular frame 60and adapted to be rotated at suitable speed by gearing 106.

The preliminary folding station P is arranged in cooperative associationwith the rectilinear guideway 84 and comprises an inwardly anddownwardly curved camming rod 110 (Figs. l, 5, 8, 9 and l0) slopinginward from a point above the outer guideway flange 82a,

at an elevation slightly less than that of the upper edge` of an erectcover 36 of a carton C (Fig. 8). The rod 110V slopes inward and thendownward to dispose its lower end 112 at such elevation that as a cartonC is advanced under the rod 110, the rod folds the cover 36 downwardabout'the fold line 38 until the cover 36 is substantially in closingrelation on the carton body 26 (Fig. 9).

A cylindrical Hap-folding drum 116 (Figs. 1, 3, 4, and -14, inclusive)is disposed above the guideway 84 in position for each carton C to passthereunder with its cover 36making tangential contact therewithimmediately after leaving the camming rod 110. The drum 116 is carriedby a shaft 118 which is journalled in brackets 120 upstanding from theconveyor frame 64 (Figs. 3, 5, and 6) and is rotated so that itscircumference moves at a linear speed corresponding to that of theconveyor chain 84 and with the lower side of the drum moving in the samedirection as the adjacent, upper run of the conveyor chain 90. This isaccomplished by means of a sprocket 122 (Fig.' 5) rigid with the shaft118 and engaged with the lower run 124 of the driving chain 102 which islooped upward and around the sprockets 122 so as to rotate the same inthe direction opposite that in which the sprocket 100 turns. The upperrun 126 of the chain 102 is looped upwardv and around an idler sprocket128 which is journalled upon a bracket extension 129 and which supportsthe sprocket 128 in such apposition that the upper and lower runs 124and 126 are held clear of each other.

The drum 116 corresponds in length to the length of aA carton C, and isprovided with flanges 130 and-130a (Fig. 10) at its ends, above theguideway anges 82 and 82a, respectively. The anges 130 and 130a extendradially beyond the circumference of the drumv 1.16, so that when acarton C passes under the drum 116, the flanges 130a engages the backwall 32 of the carton, ,and the flange 130 engages the Vfront ap 44. Asclearly shown in Figs. 3 and l0, the inner faces of the flanges 130 and130:2 are marginally rounded as indicated at 131. When the ap 44 engagesthe flange 130, 'the rounded surface 131 thereof functions as a camsurface that gradually bends the lap 44 downward as the Vcarton ispushed between the two anges 130 and 130:1. In this manner, the materialof the carton is creased, or prebroken along the fold line 46 at whichthe flap 44 is joined to the cover 3o, with the result that the flap 44will remain in an angular position with relation to the cover 36 afterthe carton has passed beyond the drumll.

The drum 116 isV provided with two cleatsl 13.?. and 134 (Figs. 1l to`14) extending longitudinally df the drum and, consequently,transversally with respect to the path of 4carton C. The cleats 132 and134`are of quarter-round cross sectional form and are mounted on the`drum with one flat side 136 embedded slightly in thecircurnferentialsurface of tthe drum and the other flat side 138extending substantially radially therefrom. The cleats 132 and 134 arespaced apart aboutthe circumfereuce of the drum by a distancecorresponding to the width of a carton C, with the round sides'y 140facing each other. Thed rum 116 is rotated by the drive chain 102 (Fig.5) in timed relation to the conveyor chain 90 (Fig. l) toeiectengagement of the leading side flap 40 of the cover of the carton withthe round surface 140 of the cleat 132 (Fig. 12) and engagement of thetrailing sideilap 40 of the cover of the carton with the round surfaceyof the cleat 134 (Figs. 13 and 14). 1

The Vleading cleat 132 *isV provided with an arcuate flange 142extending forwardfrom the cleat. rlhe function of the flange is toengage the leading tlap 40ct the cover (Fig. 11) in a line of contact inadvance of the line'where the cleat 132 would initially engage the ap 40were the ange 142'not present. Consequently, the flange 142 compensatesfor bulging of' the leading side wall of the carton which frequently iscaused by the contents of the carton. Suchbulging o f the leading sidewall 30' might place the upper edge of the leading side wall 30 directlyunder the cleat 132, and thus, in the absence of the ange 142,beconducive to crushing the wall 30. But the flange .142 eliminates thishazard, by contacting the leading flap 40 in advance of the point Wherethe ap is supported by a bulging wall '30, with the result that as theflap is forced downward yby the flange`142, the bulging wall'30 isstraightened suiciently to permit uniformbending ofthe vllap40 along itshinge line 42. Initial bending of the ap is quickly followed byengagement of the flap by the round face 140 (Fig.`4) of the cleat 132,which occurs in a line -which advances toward the hinge line 42 of theap as the bending of the flap progresses, until the line of con- Y tactis closely adjacent the hinge line, VVand the flap is bent so sharplyaround the upper edge of the associated side wall 30 that the cartonmaterial is pre-broken along the hinge line, causing the tlap 40 Vtoremain in an angular position with relation to the cover 36 afterrthcflap passes beyond the range of operation of the cleat 132. l j v In itsengagement Vwith the trailing side ap 40 of the carton cover, the cleat134 (Fig. 13), does not require an extension such as that provided-onthe cleat 132. 'Since initial engagement between the cleat 134 and thetrailing end-flap 40 'occurs ina line spacedbehlnd the plane of thetrailing end wall 30, and the rounded surface'140 makes rollingcontactwith the lllap 40 in a line which Vapproaches the Iiinge line 42, amoderate amount of bulging of the side wall 30 is satisfactorilyovercome. This action is completed while the kcarton travels through ashorter distance than that needed Yfor folding the leading ap.

A bracket 146 (Figs. 1, 5, and 6) extending upwardv from the inner sidewall 72 of the conveyor frame 64, rotatably supports a roller y148 abovethe guideway 84 closely adjacent the discharge side of the drum 116. Itsfunction is to prevent cartons from being lifted olf the guideway 84 bythe flanges '130 and 130a between which each carton is compressedslightly as the carton passes out of the operative range of the drum116. A bracket 150 (Figs. 2, 5, and 6) extends rigidly upward from theouter side wall 72 of the conveyor frame 64 and is formed with ahorizontal flange 152 overlying the outer side of the guideway inposition to limit the distance that the cover 36 of each carton springsupward upon release from the roller 148. It is important to observe,however, that the ange 152 is atr suliicient elevation to permit eachcover 36 to spring upward far enough for the lower ends of the angularlydownwardly extending locking tabs 48 and 52 to clear the slits 50 and54, respectively.

The final folding station F comprises a rotary table 160 (Figs. l, 2, 5,6, and 7) of substantially circular form, arranged above the frame `60,and rotatably mounted by bushings 161 and a thrust bearing 162 on anupward extension 164 of the pedestal62 (Fig. 7)..

The thrust bearing 162 supports the table 160 upon a shoulder 166 of thepedestal 62 so as to maintain the table 160 in horizontal alignment withthe ianges 78 and 78a of the guideway 84. The parts are so arranged thatthe peripheral edge 168 of the table 160 intersects the ange 78 andextends to a position of substantial taugency with the conveyor chain 90which is outwardly offset from the longitudinal center line of theguideway 84. Consequently, the cartons C are delivered onto the n table160 in a position of stable equilibrium, wherein more than one-half ofthe carton rests upon the table 160 while less than half the cartonoverhangs the peripheral edge of the table.

A ring gear 170 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 7) is affixed by a plurality of capscrews 172 to the lower side of the table 160 in axial alignmenttherewith. A spur gear 174 (Figs. 1 and 6) meshing with the ring gear170, is

rigid with a Vertical shaft I176 which is journalled in suitablebearings 178 (Fig. 6) carried by the frame 60, and the shaft 176 isconnected to the aforesaid shaft 104 to be rotated thereby, by bevelgears 180 (Fig. l). The shaft 104 is connected by another set of bevelgears 182 to a drive shaft 184, driven by any suitable source of power(not shown). Since the shaft 104 constitutes the drive for the conveyorchain 90, the conveyor chain 90 and the rotary table are synchronizedwith respect to each other, and the gears 170, 174, and 180 areappropriately proportioned to effect rotation of the table 160 at such arate that one of four individual coverclosing and tab-inserting stations190 (Figs.l l, 2, 5, 6 and 7) carried by the table 160, is presented tothe delivery end of the guideway 84 each time one of the flights 98 ofthe conveyor chain pushes a carton C onto the table 160. l

Carried by a head 192 (Fig. 7) and the table 160 are four cover-closingand tab-inserting stations 190. The head 192 comprises a hub 194supported on and rigidly afi'ixed by bolts 195 to the hub 196 of thetable 160, and four spokes, or arms 198 extend radially from the hub194, ninety degrees apart. Each arm 198 is provided at its outer endwith vertically aligned bearings 2.00 within which the rod 202 of aplunger 204 is mounted for vertical reciprocation. The rod 202 is ofnon-circular cross section, and the bearings 200 are fitted to the rod,with the result that the plunger 204 is prevented from rotary motionwith respect to the bearings. The lower end of the rod 202 is providedwith a horizontal presser plate 206, and the upper end of the rod202carries a cam follower roller 208. A spring 210 constantly urges theplunger 204 upward and thereby presses the roller 208 against a camsurface 212 (Figs. 1,2, 5, 6 and 7) on the underside of a circular plate21'4 rigidly aflixed to the extension 164 of the stationary pedestal 62by a clamping dowel pin 216 (Fig. 7). The cam 212 includes a downwardlyprojecting lobe 218 (Pigs. 2, 5, and 6) so positioned and soproportioned that after each coverfolding and tab-inserting station 190arrives in position for the guideway 84 to discharge a carton C ontothetable and into the station 190, the plunger 204 of the station 190 ispushed downward by the cooperating lobe 218 and follower roller 208,until the plate 206 is spaced from the table by a distance `coincidingwith the height of the carton C.

As already stated, the function of the horizontal flange 152 (Figs. l, 2and 6) is to limit the height to which the cover 36 of each carton C canspring back after its hinge line 38 has been creased; vand the ange 152is disposed so closely adjacent the area where the cartons C pass fromthe conveyor guideway 84 onto the rotating table 160 that the trailingend of a carton does not pass out from under the ange 152 until at leastthe leading end of the carton is underneath the presser plate 206 of thestation into which Vthe carton is being delivered. Hence, the flange152.guides each partly closed cover 36 to the position indicated at 36ain Figs. 7 and 16, wherein the presser plate is directly above the hingeline 46 between the cover 36 and the front flap 44. Therefore, thedownward thrust of the plunger 204 induced by the cam lobe 218 pushesthe cover 36 to its fully closed position on the carton body 26, asillustrated in Fig. 17.

Each of the stations 190 is provided with a vertical guide plate 230(Fig. l5) rigidly supported from the table 160 by angle brackets 232(Figs. 7, 15, 16, and 17) in a position opposite and spaced radially,inward from the front wall 34 of a carton C in the associated station190. The guide plate 230 is provided with an intermediate downwardly and`outwardly inclined finger 234, and two similarly inclined lingers 236spaced laterally from the intermediate finger 234 at either sidethereof..

A guide strap 240 of semi-circular form (Fig; l) is arrangedsubstantially concentrically with respect to the table 160, and isadjustably supported in position outwardly spaced therefrom andextending above the plane thereof, by brackets 97 and 242 (Figs. 2, 5,6, and 7) rigid with and extending upward from the frame 60. The lstrap240 is so arranged that as a carton C is carried in a circular path bythe table 160, the strap 240 engages the back wall 32 of the carton andresists any tendency for the carton C to move radially outward.Therefore, as a guide plate 230 approaches the point of tangency betweenits circular path with the rectilinear path of the front wall 34 of acarton about to be deposited in a station 190, the lower ends of thefingers 234 and 236 are caused to press firmly against the front wall 34of the carton.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1'5, 16, and 17, the intermediate finger 234protrudes further from the plane of the plate 230 than do the fingers236, and its lower end is at an elevation slightly above that of theslit 54 in the front wall 34 of the carton. Therefore, while the twofingers 236 engage the carton at either side the slit 54 and therebyhold the carton with both rear corners in sliding engagement with theguide strap 240, the lower end of the intermediate finger 234 pressesinward the portion of the front wall 34 immediately above the slit 54,as illustrated in Fig. 16. VThis not only opens the slit 54, preparingit for subsequent entry of the front locking tab 52 thereinto, but alsodisposes the linger 234 in a position sloping upward from within thecarton, just inside the slit, to a higher point infront of the carton,The sloping finger 234 when so disposed lies in 7 the path of the tab 52as the tab, is being carried downward by the descending fcover 36; withthe result that as the cover nears its fully: closed-position, thelinger 234 intercepts the tab' 52 and guides' it into and through theslit 54, as illustrated in Fig. 17.

Each of the cover-closing and tab-inserting stations 190 includes meansfor opening the slits 50 in the side walls 30 of a carton substantiallysimultaneously with the above described operation of the ,finger 234.VVA crosshead 250 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, 18, 19 and 20') is provided at theouter end of each arm 198, preferably integral therewith. Bearings 252(Figs. 1, 2, 16, and 17) at the outer ends of each crosshead 250rotatably support parallel horizontal shafts 254, to the inner end ofeach of-which a pinion gear 256 (Figs. 2, 18, 1,9, and 20) is secured. Avertically extending rack 258 engages each pinion gear 256, at the sidethereof nearer 'the associated arm 198, so that upon upward motion ofthe racks 258, theshafts 254 are rotated iny sucha manner that fingers260 secured to the outer ends of the shafts 254, are turned from aretracted, diverging position (Fig. 18) to a contracted arrangementwherein each finger 260 extends substantially vertically downward (Fig.20). Each of the racks 258 is rigidly secured to the upper end of avertical push rod 261 which is reciprocable within and extends through avertical bearing 262 (Figs. 7, 16 and V1,7) in the table 160. The lowerend of each pushrod 261 is provided with a follower roller 263 inoperative engagement with a cam `surface 264 on the frame 60, as bestshown in Figs. and 6.v A high `lobe 265 of the cam 264 is solpositionedthat it moves the push rods 2 61 of each .station 19,0 upwardimmediately after a carton C is received upon the table 160belowthe-associated plunger 204. The lobe 265 is so related tothelobe218 of the cam 212 that the fingers 260 assume their verticalpositions (Fig. 20)- in engagement with the side walls of a carton,before the cover 36 is lowered beyondthe point at which the side tabs 48reach the `elevation of `the slits 50 in the walls 30 of the carton.

The distal end 266 vof each linger 260 is of arcuate form, and Slopesdownward and inward toward a carton C engaged between two of the fingers265). Moreover, the end 266 of'each finger 260 is tapered to arelatively thin edge 268, and the fingers 260 are of such length thatthe end edges 26S of the fingers n260 engage theA portions of thesidewalls immediately above the slits 50 and press Ythese portionsinward, openingthel slits 50 and preparingrthe same for reception of thenside locking tabs 48. When the fingers 260 arrive at their final,`contracted position (Figs. 19 and 20), theends266 ofthe fingersoccupypositions wherein they slope upward from inside .the carton, just insidethe slits 50, colocations at higher elevations outside the carton.Accordingly, the arcuate ends 266 lie in the paths of the downwardlyapproaching tabs 48, and are thus adapted to intercept the tabs 48 andguide them into the slits.

`The high lobe 265 is of such length, measured circumferentially of thecam 264, that shortly after arrival of a cover-closing plunger 204 -inits lowest position, the associated rollers`263 pass off the high lobe,permitting the push rods 261 to move to lower positions andthe fingers260 to retract to their raised, expanded positionstFig. 18). Such motionof the rollers 263 and lingers 260 is induced by a coil spring 270 undertension between exten: sions 272 of the fingers 260. This withdrawstheend edges 268 of the fingers from engagement with the carton, permittingthe sidewalls 30 to spring back toward their original flatconfiguration, and causing the .tabs 48 to be gripped between the edgesof the slits 50, and thereby securing the cover 36 closed.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the gudefstrip 240 terminates in a portion 276which is deflected outward, away from the table 160, and over adischarge chute 278. A cooperating, guide lstrip 280 is mounted on thechute 278 and curves inward over the table 160 in position to intercepteaclicarton C after completion of' the operation of closing the same,and to guide the closed carton onto the' disj charge chute 278. In thismanner, each carton is pulled away fromV the associatedfguideplate 230,removing the finger 234 from the slit 54, and :thereby permitting thefront wall 34 to spring back toward its original, at configuration. Thiscauses the edges of the slit 54 to g'rip the tab 52, and thus cooperatewith the tabs 48 and slits 50 in securing the cover closed.

It is believed that the manner in which each carton C is closed and itscover 36 secured, is readily understandable from the hereinabovedescription, throughout which the operation of each group of parts hasbeen explained in conjunction with the description of theirconstruction. It might be well at this point, however, to emphasize thatin practical operation of the carton closing machine of the invention,lled open cartons are supplied to the machine in a rapidlymoving,continuous procession, and the cartons pass in closely spaced relationand at sustained high speed along the rectilinear conveyor guideway 84,Vand through the preliminary folding station P, where the camming rodbends the covers 36 down to, or nearly to, their closed position, andwhere the drum 116 bends first the front fiap 44, and then the sideflaps 40, down to, or nearly to, the positions which they ultimatelywill occupi/.when the closing operation is completed. As the cartonspass from the preliminary folding station P into the final foldingstation F, the covers 36 spring upwardslightly, since the cartonmaterial, although pre-broken along the fold lines 38, 42, and 46,retainssufiicient Iinherent resiliency to return the covers 36 and the`aps 40 and 44 partially to their starting positions. This disposes thetabs 48 and S2 at a higher elevation than the slits 50 and 54, in properposition for subsequent guided movement into the slits. w

Without interruption of their rapid rate of advance, the cartons passsuccessively onto the rotating table 160, where each carton, with itscover 36 in an inclined position, is accurately located in one of theindividual folding stations 190 by an indexing stop 286 (Figs. 2, 7, 18,and 19) on the table 160. While the carton is carried in an arcuate pathon the table 160, the finger 234 enters and opens the slit 54 in thefront wall. of the carton, and the fingers 260 turn downward and inward,inserting their end eges 268 into the side wall slits 50 and therebyopening the same. The cover 36 is then pressed closed by the descendingplunger 204, and as this occurs,y the tabs 48 and 52 are guided into theslits 50 and 54, by the fingers, 260 and 234, respectively. The fingers260 then retract, and briefly thereafter, the advancing carton engagesthe guide stripl 280, which pulls the vcarton away from the linger 234and defiects the completely closed and secured carton onto the chute278, which may convey the rapid succession of cartons thus delivered toit, to any suitable point of discharge.

Figs. 22 to 26, inclusive,illustrate a modified form of carton closingmachine embodying the present invention. In this embodiment, alloperating parts are constructed similarly to and operate insubstantially the same manner as in the first described form of themachine, with the exception of the mechanism for opening the slits 50 inthe side walls 30 (Figs. 25 and 26) of the carton C, and for guiding theside tabs 48 into the open slits.

In the modified form of the apparatus, the arms -198 (Fig. 22) whichradiate from the hub 194 of the head 192 provide support for only thecover-closing plungers 204 which are actuated by an overhead cam 212' inthe same manner as are the plungers 204 of the first described form ofthe machine. As illustrated in Figs. 22 land 23, however, the sideembracing members comprise arms 36), a pair of which is provided foreachof the four coverclosing and tab-inserting stationsk 190. Each ofthe arms 300 is provided with a split hub 302 and clamping l screw 304`whereby the arm Vis secured to the upper end of a vertical )shaft 306journalled in yand extending through 9A the rotary table 160 whereby thecartons C are transported in an arcuate path, one under each of theplungers 204 as in the rst described form'of the invention. A

lever 308 is affixed to the lower end of each shaft 3061 and each lever308 carries a 'cam following roller 310 (Fig. 23). All of the rollers310 are engaged within an endless camming groove 312 in the uppersurface of the frame 60 above which the table 160 rotates.

The groove 312 includes a portion 314 (Fig. 23) at relatively greatradial distance from the Vertical axis of rotation of the table 160',and a portion 316 at lesser radial distance from the said vertical axis,the two portions 314 and 316 of the groove being interconnected byappropriately configured portions 31S so that the camming groove 312 isendless. The portion 314 of the camming groove 312 is so spaced from theaxis of the rotation of table 160 that when the camming rollers 310associated with one of the pairs of arms 300 are disposed in the portion314, the arms are spread apart as indicated at the right hand side ofFig. 23. The radial spacing of the portion 316 of the groove 312 fromthe axis of the tables rotation, however, is such that when the rollers310 associated with one of the pairs of arms 300 are disposed in theportion 316, the arms are disposed in a contracted position wherein theyextend parallel to each other as shown at the left hand side of Fig. 23.The spacing between the arms 300 of each pair is such that when the armsare in their said contacted, parallel position, bosses 320 on the innerfacesy of the arms 300 are adapted to engage the two side walls 30 of acarton C with just sufficient force to center the carton between thearms 300 and under the associated plunger 204 without any appreciabledistortion of the carton. v

Atthe outer end of each arm 300, a nger'322 is provided at a slightlyhigher elevation than the associated boss 320 and protruding inward aslightly greater disatnce from the arm 300 than does the boss 320, asbest shown in Fig. 26. The parts are so proportioned and arranged thatwhen the arms 300 occupy positions wherein they embrace a carton C, thelingers 322 engage the portions of the carton side walls 30 immediatelyabovel the slits 50 therein andpress these portions inward to open theslits 50 as. indicated in Fig. 25. The upper ksurface 324 of each linger322 is of arcuate form and slopes upward and outward so that it mergesgradually with the vertical inner face 326.

At the time that a carton C is deposited on the rotating table 60beneath one of the plungers 204, the arms 300 associated with thatplunger 204' are in their retracted, separated position which permitsentry of the carton between the arms without interference. Immediatelyafter such disposition of the carton between the arms 300, the camfollower rollers 310 associated with these arms enter the portion 312 ofthe camming groove causing the shafts 306 to turn and the arms 300 tomove to their retracted position. This effectually centers the carton Cbelow the plunger 204' and in relation to the finger 234' of guide plate230 because of the engagement of the bosses 320 with the side walls 30of the carton. At the same time, the fingers 322 open the slits 50 ashereinabove described and assume positions wherein their arcuate uppersurfaces 324 slope upward and -outward from within the carton C justinside the opened slits 50 and to a location of higher elevation outsidethe carton. Consequently, the sloping upper surfaces 324 dicularly withrespect thereto, said closing machine comlie in the path of the sideliaps48 as they are carried downward by the cover 36 as the cover ismoved to its closed position. It is readily apparent therefore that thearms 320 and their lingers 322 having upwardly and outwardly inclinedupper surfaces 324 operate to guide the descending tabs 48 into andthrough the open slits 50 in the same manner as do the fingers 260 ofthe iirst described form of the invention.

'While I have illustrated'and described a particular embodiment and amodiiication of the present invention,

prising means for advancing the carton in a predetermined path, meansmounted adjacent said path for fold! ing the cover to closing positionon the body, means cooperatively associated with said folding means foropening the slit and vfor guiding the locking tab into the opened slitincluding a plate disposed in opposed relation to the slitted wall andhaving a linger sloping downward and toward the slotted panel, and meansfor deflecting the carton from said path to thrust the carton againstthe finger, said inger being disposed in an'oblique position slopingupward and away from the carton in the path of the tab on the closingcover, the lower end of the linger being in alignment with a portion ofthe slitted wall above the slit whereby the lower end of the fingeropens the slit and the linger guides the tab into the slit as the covercloses.

2. Flap folding apparatus for a carton having side walls, ajcover on thebody, and ya ap hinged to the side of the cover along a fold lineadjacent the upper edge of one'of the side walls, s aid apparatuscomprising a rotatably mounted drum, means for moving the cartonsidewayspast the drum with the flap leading, a transverse cleat on thedrum, means Vfor rotating the drum in timed relation with the cartonadvancing means, carton locating means on the advancing means forregistering the iiap with said cleat and thereby effecting engagement ofthe flap by the cleat ata predetermined distance from the hinge line ofthe flap,` and an extension carried by the cleat and engageable with theiiap in advance of the cleat and at a greater distance fromthe hingeline to initiate folding of the iiapprior to engagement of the cleatwith the flap. l

3. In a carton handling apparatus, a conveying mechanism comprising astraight line conveyor including a rectilinear guide track and means forpropelling a carton longitudinally thereof, and a rotatably mountedtab-le in planar alignment with the discharge end of said guide trackand arranged with its peripheral edge intersecting said track throughmore Vthan half but less than all of the tracks transverse extentwhereby a carton delivered onto the table from the track is disposed instable equilibrium on the table but with one edge of the cartonoverhanging the edge of the table, said 'propelling means being oiisetoutwardly of the peripheral edge of said table and extending to aposition whereina radius of the table is perpendicular to the propellingmeans.

4. In carton handling apparatus, a conveyor mech anism comprising aguide track, a rotatably mounted table in position to receive cartonsfrom said guide track, the peripheral edge of the table intersecting thetrack through more than half but. less than all of the transverse extentof the track whereby a carton delivered ontothey table from the track isdispo-sed in stable equilibrium on the table but with part of the cartonprotruding beyond the edge of the table, a drive chain movablelongitudinally of the guide track and extending to a position oftangency with the table, and a carton engaging lug carried by saidchain.

5. In carton handling apparatus, a conveyor mechanism comprising a guidetrack, a rotatably mounted table in position to receive cartons fromsaid guide track, the peripheral edge of the table intersecting one sideedge ofthe track and extending to a position between thelongitudinalcenter line and the opposite side edge ofthe track wherebythe table is adapted to` receive a carton from the track with more thanhalf the carton inward of the peripheral edge of the table and with lessthan half.' of the carton overhangingtheedge` of theY table, a'v guidechain movable longitudinallyof the track, and a carton engaging lugcarried by the chain, said chain being offset from the longitudinalcenter line of the track to dispose said lug in position to engage saidoverhanging portion of the carton. l

6. In a machine for closing a carton includinga body anda substantiallyhorizontally extending ilap disposed substantially in planar alignmentwith the uppermost portion of the body, apparatus for folding the flapdownward comprising a rotatably mounted drum, means for advancing thecarton past the drum substantially in tangential relation therewith,means connecting the drum to the advancing means for rotationin timedrelation therewith, and a transverse cleat projecting fro-m thecircumference of the drum in a position clearing the body of the cartonand in opposed relation to the flap whereby the cleat engages the ap andfolds the same downward relatively to the carton as the carton advancespast the drum, the surface of the cleat engageable with the liap beingrounded andmaking rolling contact with the iiap in a line Vthatprogresses toward the body of the carton. Y

7. A machine for closing a cartonhaving a body including a slitted`wall, a cover hinged thereto, a flap hingedto the cover, and a lockingtab extending from the flap, said closing machine comprising aA tablemounted for rotation in a horizontal plane, meansV for rotatingthetable, means for placing onto the tablea carton with its cover in anopen position and its flap and locking tab extending substantiallyperpendicularly fromthe cover, a tab guide mounted on the table forrotation therewith in alignment with the slit in the slitted wall of thecarton, means for effecting relativekmotion between the carton and thetab guide to press the guide against theslitted l wall above the slit toopen the slit and enter the guide into the slit, and means mounted onthe table for rotation therewith for folding the cover to closedposition and thereby sliding the tab along the guide and into the openedslit. Y e n 8. A machine for closing a carton havingva body including aslitted wall, a cover hinged thereto, a flap hinged to the cover, and alocking tab extending from the flap, said closing machine comprising atable mountedfor rotation in a horizontal plane, means for rotating thetable, means for placing onto the table a carton with its cover inanopen position and its flap and locking tab extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the cover, slit opening-means supported by thetable for rotation therewith and for movement relative thereto from acarton releasing position to a carton engaging position, means operativesynchronously with rotationl of the table to v press the slit-openingmeans against the slitted wall above the slit to open the slit and enterthe slit-opening means into the slit, and means mounted on the table forrotation therewith for folding the cover to closed position and slidingthe tab into' the opened slit.

9. A machine for closing a carton having a body including a rear walland a slitted side wall, a cover hinged to the rear wall and a lockingtab connected to the cover, said closing machine comprising conveyingmeans constructed and arranged to advance the carton along apredetermined circular path with the cover of the carton in an openposition and the locking tab extending substantially perpendicularlyrfrom the cover, an arm pvotally mounted on the conveying means foradvancement therewith, a slit opening finger projecting from the arm inalignment with the slit in the side wall of the carton, means operativein timed relation with the conveying means to pressthe finger againstthe slitted wall above the slit to open the slit and enter the lingerinto the slit, and means mounted onthe conveying means for advancementtherewith for folding the cover to closed position and thereby slidingthe tab along the finger and into the opened slit.

10. A machine for closing a carton having a body including a rear walland a slitted side wall, a cover hinged to the rear wall, and a lockingtab connected to the cover, said closing machine comprising conveyingmeans arranged to advance the carton along a predetermined circular pathwith the cover of the cart-on in an open position and the locking tabextending angularly from the cover, slit opening and tab guiding meanssupported from the conveying means for advancement with the carton andfor movement relative thereto from a withdrawn position to a cartonengaging position, means operating in timed relation with advancement ofthe carton by the conveying means to enter the slit opening and tabguiding means into the slit, and means operating while the slit openingand tab guidingl means is inserted intothe slit for folding the cover toclosed position and sliding the tab along the guiding means into theslit. J f

1l. A machine for closing a carton having a body including opposedslitted walls, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab associatedwith each of the slitted walls and extending angularly from the cover,said closing machine comprising a table mounted for rotation about avertical axis, means for rotating the table, two opposed arms, meanscarried by the table for rotation therewith and mounting said arms forrotary motion from a carton releasing arrangement to a carton engagingarrangement, means connected to the table for operation in timedrelation therewith for placing ontothe table adjacent the arms a cartonwith its cover in an open position, means operative in timed relationwith the table for folding the cover to closing position, rmeansoperable during operation of said cover closing means for turning thearms to said carton engaging arrangement thereof, and fingers extendinginward from the arms in positionto engage the slitted walls of the`cartons adjacent the slits therein to open the slits for entry of thetabsv thereinto.

12. A machine for closing a carton having a body including opposedslitted Walls, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab associatedwith each of the slitted walls and extending angularly from the cover,said closing machine comprising a table mounted for rotation about avertical axis, means for rotating the table, two opposed arms mountedabove the table for rotation therewith and for motion relative theretofrom a carton releasing ar-V rangement to a' carton engagingarrangement, means connected to the table for operation in timedrelation therewith for placing onto the table adjacent the arms a cartonwith its cover in an open position, means operative in timed relationwith the table for folding the cover to closing position, means operableduring operation of said cover closing means for moving the arms to saidcarton engaging arrangement thereof, and lingers extending inward fromthe arms in position to engage the slitted walls of the cartons adjacentthe slits therein to open the slits for entry of thetabs thereinto.

13. A machine for closing a carton having a body including opposedslitted Walls, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab associatedwith each of the slitted walls and extending angularly from the cover,said closing machine comprising a table mounted for rotation in ahorizontal plane, means for rotating the table, two opposed arms, meanscarried by the table forrotation therewith and mounting said arms forrotary motion from Ia carton releasing arrangement to a carton engagingarrangement, means connected to the table for operation in timedrelation therewith for placing onto the table adjacent the arms a cartonwith its cover in an open position, means operative in timedrelationwith the table for folding the cover tol closing position, meansoperable during opera tion of said cover closing means for turning thearms to said carton engaging arrangement thereof, and iingersextendingobliquely inward from the arms in position toV into the opened slits asthe cover approaches said closing position.

14. A machine for closing cartons comprising a rotatably mounted table,rotating means therefor, stationary circular cam means mounted in axialalignment with the table, plunger means mounted for rotation with thetable and for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urgedinto operative engagement with the cam means, carton closing meansmounted adjacent the table for rotation therewith and connected to theplunger means for actuation thereby to effect a carton closing operationand means for placing an open carton onto the table in position to beengaged by said closing means during advancement of the carton on therotating table.

15. A machine for closing cartons comprising a rotatably mounted table,rotating means therefor, a plurality of stationary circular cams mountedin axial alignment with the table, a plunger associated with each camand mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocation relativeto the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement with itsassociated cam, carton closing means connected to each plunger toperform a carton closing operation, and means for placing an open cartononto the table in position to be engaged by said closing means duringadvancement of the carton by the rotating table.

16. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body and acover hinged to the body, said carton closing machine comprising arotatably mounted table, rotating means therefor, a stationary circularcam mounted in axial alignment with the table, a plunger mounted forrotation with the table and for reciprocation relative to the table andyieldably urged into operative engagement with the cam, a cover closingplate carried by the plunger' and means for placing a partially closedcarton onto the table in alignment with said plate.

17. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body having aslitted wall, a cover hinged to the body and a locking tab hinged to thecover, said carton closing machine comprising a rotatably mounted table,rotating means therefor, a stationary circular cam mounted in axialalignment with the table, a plunger mounted for rotation with the tableand for reciprocation relative to the table and yieldably urged intooperative engagement with the cam, a rack carried by the plunger forreciprocation therewith, bearing means mounted in iixed positionrelative to the table for rotation therewith, a pinion gear journaled inthe bearing means and enmeshed with said rack, an arm rigid with thepinion, a slit-opening linger projecting laterally from the arm, andmeans for placing an open carton onto the table in position for itsslitted wall to be engaged adjacent the slit therein by said linger uponrotation of said pinion.

18. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body having aslitted wall, a cover hinged to the body, and a locking tab hinged tothe cover, said carton closing machine comprising a rotatably mountedtable, rotating means therefor, a plurality of stationary circular camsmounted in axial alignment with the table, a plunger associated witheach cam and mounted for rotation with the table and for reciprocationrelative to the table and yieldably urged into operative engagement withits associated cam, a cover closing plate carried by one of saidplungers, a rack connected te the other plunger for reciprocationtherewith, a pinion in meshing engagement with the rack and rotatablymounted on the table for movement therewith and for rotation about its`own axis relative to the table, an arm rigid with the pinion, aslitopening and tab-guiding nger on the arm and means for placing anopen carton onto the table in alignment with the cover closing plate andwith the slit in its slitted Wall in alignment with said finger, saidcams being arranged to etect rotation of the pinion to advance thefinger into engagement with the carton prior to movement of the coverclosing plate to its fullyV advanced position.

19. A machine for closing cartons of the type including a body having aslitted front wall, a back wall, a cover hinged to the back wall and alocking tab hinged to the cover, said machine comprising a rotatablymounted table, rotating means therefor, a bracket rigid with the table,a slit-opening and tab-guiding ringer supported by the bracket inposition inclining downward and radially outward relatively to thetable, means for placing an open carton onto the table with the slit inthe slitted wall of the carton opposite said nger, means operative asthe table turns for crowding the carton radially inward of the table topress the finger against the front wall of the carton adjacent and abovethe slit to open the slit and enter the lower end of the finger into theopened slit, a plunger mounted for rotation with the table and forreciprocation relative to the table, yieldable means urging the plungerupward, and a circular cam engaged by the plunger and mounted in xedposition thereabove to effect lowering the plunger While the slitopeningand tab-guiding finger is 'entered into the slit.

References Cited in' the tile Vof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,051,339 Little Aug. 18, 1936 2,282,278 Wysong May 5, 1942 2,340,835Malhoit Feb. 1, 1944 2,441,410 Guyer et al May l1, 1948 2,577,529 Kerret al. Dec. 4, 1951 2,584,925 Rideout Feb. 5, 1952 2,598,135 Schmied May27, 1952 2,625,778 Wood Jan. 20, 1953 2,660,012. Boyce et al. Nov. 24,1953

